A Cedar Rapids man was arrested last month for assaulting a doctor and putting him in a choke hold at the University of Iowa Hospitals.
According to police reports, 44-year-old David Robert Hirverla of Cedar Rapids was admitted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and attempted to leave at a little before 7 a.m. Jan. 21.
Hospital staff refused to allow him to leave the lobby of the ER, he attacked a doctor.
Police reports state that he slammed a doctor into a door and wall, then put her in a choke hold, applying a lot of pressure to her neck.
Hirvela allegedly threatened everyone that he would hurt the woman if they didn't open the door to let him out, and that he was a black belt in Aikido.
A witness to the incident pulled Hirvela off the doctor, who was injured slightly from the incident, and helped hospital staff to restrain him until police could get to the hospital to assist with the incident.
When questioned about his abilities, Hirvela allegedly made the statement that he is "a pretty big guy" and that he just "chokes them [doctors] out with his arms."
He is over 6 feet tall and weighs 300 pounds. It is undetermined if he actually is a black belt in Aikido.
Hirvela is being charged with assaulting a known health care provider with intent to inflict serious injury. This is a Class D felony. He was arrested, but posted $15,000 cash bond and was released this Monday from jail.
He was not able to be reached at his home upon questioning.
According to police reports, 44-year-old David Robert Hirverla of Cedar Rapids was admitted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and attempted to leave at a little before 7 a.m. Jan. 21.
Hospital staff refused to allow him to leave the lobby of the ER, he attacked a doctor.
Police reports state that he slammed a doctor into a door and wall, then put her in a choke hold, applying a lot of pressure to her neck.
Hirvela allegedly threatened everyone that he would hurt the woman if they didn't open the door to let him out, and that he was a black belt in Aikido.
A witness to the incident pulled Hirvela off the doctor, who was injured slightly from the incident, and helped hospital staff to restrain him until police could get to the hospital to assist with the incident.
When questioned about his abilities, Hirvela allegedly made the statement that he is "a pretty big guy" and that he just "chokes them [doctors] out with his arms."
He is over 6 feet tall and weighs 300 pounds. It is undetermined if he actually is a black belt in Aikido.
Hirvela is being charged with assaulting a known health care provider with intent to inflict serious injury. This is a Class D felony. He was arrested, but posted $15,000 cash bond and was released this Monday from jail.
He was not able to be reached at his home upon questioning.
Please login to post.